WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Maine Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

Developmental Services, Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities (OACPDS), Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), will provide leadership and be an active partner in Maine's comprehensive system of support to individuals with mental retardation and autism. At the foundation of this system is the belief that all individuals, through self-determination, can achieve a quality of life consistent with the community in which they live. Supports will be flexible and designed in a manner that recognizes people's changing needs throughout their lifetimes.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities
Developmental Services
32 Blossom Lane
State House Station #11 (Mailing)
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: 207-287-4242
TTY: 207-606-0215
Crisis Hotline Services: 888-568-1112 (Voice/TTY)

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

The Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services works to bring about full access to employment, independence and community integration for people with disabilities. Working with its partners in the Maine Department of Labor's Career Center and the rehabilitation community, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services works with persons with disabilities through its three primary service provision units: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and the Division of Deafness.

Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
150 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0150
Phone: 800-698-4440
Toll Free TTY: 888-755-0023
Fax: 207-287-5292

Sheltered Employment

The goal of sheltered workshops is to support and assist consumers with disabilities to live and work in their communities.

Information regarding sheltered workshops in Maine can be found at website

http://choices.muskie.usm.maine.edu/conversion [see Employment/Sheltered Workshop Conversion Meeting Minutes - January 17, 2008.

Maine Developmental Disabilities Council
139 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0139
Phone: 207-287-4213
800-244-3990 Voice & TTY

Competitive Employment

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, serves individuals with disabilities needing assistance in vocational planning and job development. Supported Employment services emphasize coordination of services from various sources. Supported Employment is competitive employment in an integrated setting, or employment in integrated work settings in which an individual is working toward competitive employment, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, interests, and informed choice The services are designed to increase or enhance the individual's skills and independence.

Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
150 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0150
Phone: 800-698-4440
Toll Free/TTY: 888-755-0023
Fax: 207-287-5292

Health and Safety

SafetyWorks! is an outreach program of the Maine Department of Labor designed to reduce job-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. SafetyWorks! Is a voluntary program-it is not OSHA and cannot issue citations or fines. SafetyWorks! Services are available by request and free of charge. SafetyWorks! provides free services and materials to public and private employers, workers, educators, and the general public.

SafetyWorks!
Maine Department of Labor
45 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: 207-624-6400
Toll Free: 877-723-3345
TTY: 800-794-1110

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Maine Area Offices provide safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

Augusta Area Office
E.S. Muskie Federal Bldg.
40 Western Avenue, Room G-26
Augusta, Maine 04330
Phone: 207-626-9160
Fax: 207-622-8213

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Maine Area Offices provide safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

Bangor District Office>
202 Harlow Street, Room 240
Bangor, Maine 04401
Phone: 207-941-8177
Fax: 207-941-8179

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Adult Protective Services, Maine Health and Human Services, provides or arranges for services to protect incapacitated and dependent adults (age 18 and over) in danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation. To make a report or for more information, call toll free:
Nationwide 24-hour, toll free: 800-624-8404
TTY: (during business hours): 800-606-0215
TTY In-State (after hours): 800-963-9490

Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Adult Protective Services
11 State House Station
32 Blossom Lane
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: 207-287-9200
800-262-2232
Fax: 207-287-9229
TTY: 800-606-0215

Protection and Advocacy

The Disability Rights Center (DRC) is Maine's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities. It is a non-profit agency, independent of state and federal government. DRC's mission "is to advance and enforce the rights of individuals with disabilities. In working with and on behalf of people with disabilities, we are committed to the principles that people with disabilities can make choices and that they are entitled to enjoy life's benefits as full and equal members of Maine's communities." Some of the services DRC provides are: information about rights and service systems; referrals to appropriate services; representation of individuals at meetings and hearings; legal representation of individuals or groups; training on rights and advocacy skills; and working towards broad systems change.

Disability Rights Center
24 Stone Street
P. O. Box 2007
Augusta, Maine 04338
Phone: 207-626-2774 / 800-452-1948 TDD
Fax: 207-621-1419